Wednesday, 5 October 2011

HAVE YOU HAD A CHECK-UP LATELY?

It is okay and it is recommended that you have a medical check-up – a
complete physical exam at least once a year. It helps early detection of
diseases and helps you stay on top of your health and physical condition. In short,
it’s a strategy for keeping fit. So, let me ask you, “Have you had a check up lately?”

However, the check-up I am talking about is neither physical nor
medical. The last time I checked I was and have never been a medical
practitioner. The exam I talk about is attitudinal, mental and spiritual. Let’s
feel your pulse:

Check your ATTITUDE to life. “Attitude” Chuck Swindoll said, “is more important than facts.” And I
believe it. Your
attitude to life will determine your altitude in life. QED!

Check your BELIEFS. A man would never change
what he believes until his belief system cannot deliver to him the results he
seeks. What
you believe is what you will become. Fertility is not in the land, it is in the
mind. Selah!

Check your CONFESSION. What do you say to and about yourself. You will always have what you say. Your words
will become “flesh” and dwell with you.

Check your CONVICTIONS. Men are not ruled by feelings;
they are governed by the depth of their convictions.

Check your DEVOTION. Are you still seeking
first the kingdom of God? Half-hearted seekers of God get nowhere.

Check your ENTHUSIASM. “It is the little thing that makes a big difference.” (Matthew
Ashimolowo) Are you still full of God? Haven’t you lost your zest for life and
living?

Check your FAITHFULNESS. If you are faithful in
little things, you’ll be trusted with bigger stuffs. That’s how God designed
life to work.

Check your GROWTH. Are you growing? When last
did you learn something new? True prosperity is marked by consistent growth and
increase, not just accumulating possessions. When you’re through learning,
you’re through! Many are growing OLD
but how many people are growing UP?
To grow old, you need do nothing but effort must be made if you must grow up.
Selah!

Check your GIVING. The price of living is
giving. What and to what are you giving? Give to God and to the people around
you. The true measure of your life is not by its duration but by your donation.

Check your IMAGINATION. You are who you think you
are and you will become the person you imagined to be.

Check your JOY level. Joy is not the same
thing as happiness. Happiness is a function of your circumstances but joy is a
choice. Choose joy today (see Habakkuk 3:17-19).

Check your KNOWLEDGE of the truth. Are you
merely assenting to or you indeed believe the truth. The Word of God is truth.
Only the truth you know, can and will set you free (see John 17:17; John 8:32).

Check your LISTENING
QUOTIENT.
We are all guilty of this. Me too! God gave you two ears and a mouth so you can
listen twice before you talk once! James 1:19 says to be swift to hear and slow
to speak while Ecclesiastes 5:1 admonishes us to be more ready to hear than to
speak.

Check your MEDITATION. How often do you think? It
was novelist George Bernard Shaw that said, “Few
people think more than two or three times a year. I have made an international
reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week.” Thinkers are
winners. When you don’t think, you stink! No pun intended, that’s the pure
truth.

Check your PERSISTENCE
LEVEL. “Persistent people begin their own success
where others quit.” (John Mason) Do you give up so easily? “You can soon determine the caliber of a man
by ascertaining the amount of opposition it takes to discourage him.”(Dewey
King)

Check your PRAYER LIFE. A man cannot be greater
than his prayer life. When you are too busy to pray, you are too busy. Do
everything but be sure you are praying. Prayer is your breath (1 Thessalonians
5:17).

Check your VITAL
RELATIONSHIPS.
Your relationship with God (James
4:8); with your spouse, if you are
married, that is (1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:22-25); and with your children (Ephesians 6:4). These are the relationships
that will matter when the push comes to the shove. Fail here and you’ve lost it
all; your success elsewhere does not matter. You will not fail!

Check your ZEAL. Are you growing complacent
and cold towards your God-given purpose? Zeal is a vital key to success. Get your
vibe back. Do whatever you will but get it back.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Additions and comments welcome.
YOU WILL SUCCEED!